PhD position: Escape from X-inactivation in neurodevelopment (m/f/d)
Institute of Molecular Biology gGmbH
Location
Kaiserslautern | Germany
Job description
Thinking of doing your PhD in the Life Sciences? The International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz is offering talented, young scientists the chance to work on cutting edge research projects within the open call on “Molecular Biomedicine & Ageing” . As an IPP PhD student, you will join a community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.
Aufgaben:
The research group of Susans Schweiger offers the following PhD project:
Substantial differences between male and female have been observed in susceptibility of neurodevelopmental diseases. The second X-chromosome in female could play an important role in the molecular mechanisms underlying female resilience.
In comparison to males with one X and a Y-Chromosome, females with two X-chromosomes have a higher gene dosage. For dosage compensation one of the two X-chromosomes in female cells is randomly inactivated through epigenetic modification. However, several genes on the inactive X-chromosome escape inactivation and are expressed from both X-chromosomes. Such bi-allelic expression can lead to a substantial female expression bias and, through gene-gene interactions can significantly influence gene expression in female cells.
PhD Project: Implications of selective escape from X-inactivation in neurodevelopmental disorders We hypothesize that such expression biases underly the sex differences in disease susceptibility during neurodevelopment. To strengthen this hypothesis, we are analysing bi-allelic expression of X-chromosomal genes in differentiating neurons and non-neuronal cells in the brain including astrocytes, microglia and immune cells that invade the developing brain. We are also looking at the mechanisms underlying tissue-dependent escape and are studying the effects of expression biases of selected genes on cell function and disease susceptibility. We are working in human iPSC generated models and in mice.
If you are interested in this project, please select
Schweiger (Xinact) as your group preference in the IPP application platform.
Qualifikationsprofil:
Are you an ambitious, young scientist looking to push the boundaries of research while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then joining the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start!
All you need is:
- Master or equivalent
- Interactive personality & good command of English
- 2 letters of reference
Benefits:
- Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a lively international environment, with English as our working language
- Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills
- Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise
- Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis
- A lively community of more than 200 PhD students from 44 different countries
For more details on the projects offered and how to apply via our online form, please visit .
The deadline for applications is 17 April 2024. Interviews will take place at IMB in Mainz on 1-3 July 2024.
Starting date: 1 August 2024 - 1 January 2025
Job tags
Salary
